Grey matter in this area of the brain is notably smaller in patients with schizophrenia as compared with patients in a control group. Insular activation is also notable in patients with depression and/or chronic pain along with healthy patients experiencing emotions of sadness, guilt, or disgust. 

Villanova University

Arizona State University

The Insula has been consistently reported to activate during mindfulness meditation practice. This area of the brain is responsible for introspection and the awareness of bodily sensations, leading to the experience of "selfness", and it's activation during mindfulness practices is likely due to the practitioner's increased attentiveness toward internal sensations.

Insula Activation in Mindfulness-based EEG Studies

Fabrizio, D. (ed.). (2009). Clinical handbook of mindfulness. Springer. 

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